Guilt Free Gluten Free Vegan Cornbread

Savor freshly baked Maple Cornbread with no guilt and no gluten. Follow along to discover how easy it is to prepare and serve this treat. 

Cornbread goes great with a piping hot bowl of Split Pea, Lentil, or Black Bean Soup, and makes the perfect side with Vegetarian Chili or a plant-based stew.

Perhaps you prefer cornbread as a snack, when you’re craving delicious taste without the bloat of wheat based bread and no cholesterol. This recipe is simple to make and doesn't include refined sugars. An added advantage is that home cooked meals save bucks. 

Prep time is approximately 15 minutes and cook time is 30 (cook time varies, and depends on your stove accuracy and elevation). There's nothing finer than munching on freshly baked homemade cornbread.

Slice of Cornbread with Organic Blueberries on Top

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons ground flax seeds
4 Tablespoons warm water
1 cup ground cornmeal (if you like very flaky cornmeal use coarsely ground, for more cake-like batter use finely ground cornmeal)
1 cup gluten free flour of your choosing
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground sea salt
1 1/2 cups almond milk or other nut milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup apple sauce
Optional ingredients for a sweet tasting cornbread: cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and coriander. For a southwestern style taste: add roasted poblano and red bell peppers, corn, and a pinch of cayenne.

Note: I use organic ingredients when available, because organic means nutrient content is higher and product is not genetically modified, not sprayed with chemicals, and is not grown in soil that contains chemical fertilizers.

What to Do:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Start by selecting a loaf pan (1.5 qt.-2 qt. size), and spray it with cooking spray or use a drop of olive oil on a paper towel to coat bottom and sides of pan.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flax meal and water and set aside for 15 minutes. This combo acts as your binding agent. 
4. While that's setting, get a large bowl, and place corn meal, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into it. Whisk ingredients together.
5. Then, get the bowl with the flax seed mixture and add milk, maple syrup, apple sauce, and any optional spices you like to it. Whisk to combine.
6. Pour milk mixture into flour and fold until there are no dry spots and batter is slightly lumpy.
7. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for approximately 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
8. If you're not eating it right then, place in an airtight container and refrigerate. To serve as a dessert or sweet snack, eat a delectable slice of cornbread with berries or fruit spread. Makes about eight-ten slices. For a Southwestern style cornbread add roasted poblano and/or red bell peppers, corn, and a touch of cayenne.

Wishing you a hearty appetite and mouthfuls of good flavor. Serve this scrumptious cornbread at a family dinner, solo meal, snack food, or at your New Year's Eve Potluck, and don't forget to give thanks for this bounty.

What type of cornbread do you enjoy? Sweet or savory? I must admit I like them both. I like savory with soups, casseroles, stews, and chili. Sweet is neat as a snack and dessert. Please comment below. When you try this recipe, please let me know how it worked for you.

The quote for today is from Jeremy Jackson. "But since you're asking me, I'll tell you my opinion: all cornbread is authentic, as long as it's good, hot, and made with love and fresh ingredients."

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Cauliflower Steaks: Vegan Taste Temptation

Cauliflower Steaks: Vegan Taste Temptation

I'm always on the lookout for new ways to serve veggies. The recipe that follows is one I've recently created, after seeing a cauliflower steak recipe on Susan Viosin's blog Fat Free Vegan Kitchen

This is my original recipe, a fun way to put cauliflower, a power-packed cruciferous veggie, into family meal planning. See how easy it is to entice even the most veggie-phobic eater, by assembling this meat-free main course dish that's eye-appealing, economical, and loaded with good taste and goodness. 

*Roasted Vegan Dijon/Lemon Cauliflower Steaks Supreme *

  

Ingredients:

1 large head of organic cauliflower rinsed and prepped (see steps 1, 2, 3)

2 Tablespoons fresh squeezed organic lemon juice

3 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast (fortified with B-12)

2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard (preferably organic)

2 cloves garlic, grated fine

salt and pepper to taste

2 T Braggs Liquid Aminos (optional Ingredient)

Sliced Organic Tomato for garnish (do not put into coating mixture)

What to Do:

1. Shop for cauliflower at your local farmers' market or green grocer. If you're a home gardener, pick cauliflower out of your home garden. Select as large a head as possible. To assure you're getting the freshest organic cauliflower available, look for a head that is creamy white, with densely packed blemish free florets. Examine the leaves closely, and if they are green instead of white, you'll get a cauliflower that is top notch. This means it will be loaded with nutrients, and tastes sweet instead of strong, as older ones tend to do.

2.Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut leaves off the head of  cauliflower , but keep the center core intact. Place cauliflower on a cutting board, stem side down. Slice the head in half (top to bottom), straight down the middle. On either side, make slices that are 1/2 in. thick and place them on a cookie sheet that is covered with parchment paper. 

3. Cut as many steaks as possible. You'll know when to stop when the cauliflower pieces start to crumble. Coat each steak with a mixture made from the remaining ingredients. Place slices of tomato on top of steaks and cook all together. Use loose pieces in your salad or bake them alongside the cauliflower steaks (coat loose florets with Dijon lemon mixture as well).

  

4. The crumbled pieces will take less time to bake than the steaks. Taste test everything (what fun!). When each piece is slightly browned and the cauliflower is cooked to your liking, turn off the oven. We enjoy crispy, crunchy cauliflower steaks at our house, so I cook them for 5-10 minutes on each side.  If you like your cauliflower well done, cook the dish for a longer amount of time. Loose pieces take about 10 minutes total to cook. 

5. Serving ideas are plentiful. Combine with whole grains, green or orange veggies, or a combination of those you like. 

Health Benefits of Cauliflower: "One serving of cauliflower contains 77 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. It's also a good source of Vitamin K, protein, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, fiber, vitamin B6, potassium, and manganese." See more at Dr. Mercola's Website

For a super plant-based meal, one that's packed with deliciousness, make Roasted Vegan Dijon/Lemon Cauliflower Steaks Supreme. It will fill your belly and warm your heart.

Have you made any Cauliflower Steak recipes? How did they turn out? Did you know cauliflower was so nutritious? Are you willing to try out this recipe and see how it's received at your house? Please let me know what you think of my recipe. If you can, link to this post on social media to share the love.

Before I go, I'd like to tell you something personal about myself you may not know. I have been successful in breaking free from a cycle of negativity I saw modeled early on in life. In fact, I wrote and published a book to help others overcome the challenging task of letting go of deeply held beliefs and opinions about themselves and learn (practice) life skills that promote happier, healthier lives. 

Colors of Joy: A Woman’s Guide for Self-Discovery, Balance, and Bliss is a 12 week journal program that uses colors, affirmations, journal writing, and reflection to support and encourage us as we learn to love and approve of ourselves and others wholeheartedly. Pick up a copy for you and a friend. It makes an attractive gift for your BF and a special treat for you. If you are willing to enhance your life, order it right now by clicking on the link to My Website or ordering it at Amazon Books.

The quote for today follows: "Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education." Mark Twain

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Organic Oven Baked Cottage Fries To Live For

We love potatoes at our house, but I don't eat those highly salted, greasy, and less nutritious processed (peeled) ones that are the customary kind sold in supermarkets. Learn my secret recipe that keeps it simple, economical, healthful, and delicious. It's a home rendition of an old time favorite that's easy to prepare and will bring raves when it's served. 

I shop organic, because it's important to me that our food comes from a source that hasn't been genetically modified. I know organic food has higher nutrient value and tastes better too. A local health food store and farmers’ market are two of the best places to buy organic potatoes.

The organic label means produce like tomatoes, grapes, potatoes, and kale hasn't been chemically sprayed, irradiated, or injected with additives. I make the conscious choice to eat organic foods, because they are in the original state Mother Nature intended. Each time I shop or grow organic I save a small spot of the planet by not polluting the ground, water, air, or my body. 

I suggest you serve your cottage fries as a snack, a mouthwatering replacement for store bought potato chips. Commercially manufactured chips can be expensive and loaded with oil and/or contain preservatives and additives. 

Here are photos of the main ingredients

Organic Russet Potatoes, Knife, and Scrub Brush

Organic Rosemary (bottom left), organic thyme (top left), organic oregano(right)

Organic Garlic

Organic Olive Oil

Ingredients:

8 Organic Russet Potatoes 
1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary (hold stalk in hand, and snip leaves into little pieces, making them about 1/4 inch long) 
1 Tablespoon fresh thyme (slide or run fingers along stem to remove leaves and chop leaves into fine pieces)
1 Tablespoon fresh oregano (run fingers along stem to remove leaves and chop them into fine pieces)
3 cloves fresh organic garlic minced
3 Tablespoons organic extra virgin olive oil
Pinch of Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to Taste 

How to Make Oven Baked Cottage Fries:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While oven is heating, wash and scrub 8 medium russet potatoes. Do not peel potatoes as the skin is high in fiber. Baked potatoes are an excellent source of potassium, vegetable based protein, and important nutrients like Vitamin C and antioxidants. See more at Washington State Potato Commission. Slice, chunk, or cube potatoes into a size and shape you like best. Place in a large bowl filled with cold water, until ready to put in the oven. This prevents potatoes from turning gray (from oxidation).

2. Mix the herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper together in a small mixing bowl or cup. If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, use dried ones. Dried herbs are more potent than fresh ones, so use half strength. If you don't have these herbs on hand, substitute basil, parsley, or tarragon. Each one tastes great on potatoes. Try combos of any or all of them instead. 

3. Coat the bottom of a flat baking sheet with 1 Tablespoon of organic olive oil. I dip a corner of a paper towel into the oil and use it to spread the oil out evenly.

4. Drain off potato water, coat potatoes with herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper and toss. Then pour potatoes onto baking sheet, so they are spread out in one layer.

5. Drizzle the rest of the oil on the potatoes and bake for 10 min. Stir to loosen any potatoes that have stuck to the pan and bake for another 20-25 minutes or until you can easily pierce potatoes with a fork, and outside is golden brown. Cooking times vary depending on how thick the pieces of potatoes are, your oven calibration, and what the total weight of potatoes actually is. 

Cottage fries look appetizing on a platter or alongside a hummus sandwich or veggie burger. Serve with a green tossed salad to create a plant-based meal everyone will love. A portion is approximately one potato for each person. I always make much more than I need, because I like to freeze individual portions to use later on.

Please let me know if you're going to try your hand at making this dish or if you like this recipe. At my house, it's a fantastic accompaniment for dishes like scrambled tofu, lentil and veggie loaf, or pinto beans with broccoli. 

Please comment below and share the love through Pinterest and Facebook, if you like what you see.

While you're at it, click this link to my Website. See the woman's interactive journal,
Colors of Joy: A Woman's Guide for Self Discovery, Balance, and Bliss. It shows you how to use color, journal writing, affirmations, and reflection to heighten self-awareness, reduce stress, and increase your sense of contentment and gladness.

The quote for today is:

"What I say is that, if a fellow really likes potatoes, he must be a pretty decent sort of fellow."A. A. Milne Read more at brainyquote.com/

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I'm in the mood to cook, Good Eats include baby bok choy, portobella mushrooms and brown rice

Baby Bok Choy, Portobella 

Mushroom, 

and Brown Rice Dinner

I love the contrasting colors, savory and pungent flavors, spicy aromas, and health benefits of eating this low fat, complex carbohydrate, nutrient rich gluten free dish so much that I serve it often. See whether this fresh medley of goodness entices you.

Ingredients

1 lg. red organic onion peeled and chopped (about 1 ½ cups)

2 portobella mushrooms, cleaned, and diced into 1/4 in chunks (about 3 cups)

1 Tablespoon peeled, grated ginger (snap off a knob, peel, and grate)

2 cloves fresh garlic peeled and chopped (about 1 Tablespoon)

1 Tablespoon Braggs Liquid Aminos or other gluten free liquid seasoning

2 Tablespoons fresh parsley minced and/or other fresh herbs. The more the merrier. I used parsley, oregano, and thyme.

1 cup organic basmati brown rice and 2 cups water or vegetable broth for cooking rice

1 Tablespoon extra- virgin organic Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon water or vegetable broth

6 baby bok choy heads (about 4 cups baby bok choy that as been cleaned and chopped)

What to Do

1. Rinse brown rice in cold water and pour into a small saucepan with 2 cups water. For additional flavor, use vegetable broth. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook according to package directions (approximately 30 minutes or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is medium-soft).

2. As soon as you lower heat on the rice to a simmer, assemble, clean and chop onion, mushrooms, bok choy, herbs, and spices. 

Note: If you're unfamiliar with how to prepare portobella mushrooms for cooking, look at this video or read about how to do it at the link:

portobella mushroom prep

Place onion in one dish, mushrooms in another, bok choy in a third, and green herbs in a forth. Put garlic and ginger in a fifth. Each is separated, because of differing cooking times.

3. Pour the olive oil into a large frying pan or wok over medium heat and sauté onion for 2 or 3 minutes, add garlic and ginger and continue cooking until onion is slightly browned. If all the oil is absorbed before the onion is golden brown, add a drop of Braggs, vegetable broth, or water. Then, put in sliced portobella mushroom chunks and continue cooking for 5-8 minutes or until mushrooms are tender and you can stick a fork in them easily. 

4. Add chopped parsley and other herbs and turn off heat.

5. Check the rice, testing to see whether it’s finished cooking. As soon as it is, turn off flame and cover.

6. Add the baby bok choy to the frying pan ingredients and warm for 2 minutes. Take care not to overcook. Bok choy needs to be crunchy for best taste and nutrition. It's high in vitamin A and C.

6. Fluff rice with a fork and portion out 4 servings. Top each with a quarter of the mushroom and bok choy mixture and serve hot or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Here's a link which describes the health benefits of bok choy from WebMD.

WebMD Nutrition information


Here's the quotation for today.

“How would your life be different if...You were conscious about the food you ate, the people you surround yourself with, and the media you watch, listen to, or read? Let today be the day...You pay attention to what you feed your mind, your body, and your life. Create a nourishing environment conducive to your growth and well-being today.” 

― Steve Maraboli, The Power of One

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